By Karen James
Abagana, Anambra State – The Anambra State Police Command has thwarted a planned cult clash in the Ezichike community of Abagana, arresting one suspect and recovering three expended cartridges from a shooting scene.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Anti-Cult Unit stationed at Enugwu Ukwu apprehended Maduka Okoye, a 25-year-old resident of Abagana, on January 25, 2025, at approximately 1:30 p.m. The suspect, during interrogation, confessed to being a member of the Baggers Confraternity and revealed details of the attack.
According to Maduka, he was drinking at a beer parlour in the area when members of a rival cult group, identified as the Axe Men Confraternity, launched an attack. Police operatives responded swiftly to the incident, restoring calm in the community and securing the scene.
The recovered expended cartridges of a pump-action gun are now part of the evidence being used to track down the fleeing gang members and other identified individuals linked to the incident.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrest and assured the public that the suspect is actively cooperating with the investigation. The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, reiterated the Command’s commitment to tackling cultism and ensuring the safety of lives and property in Anambra State.
Residents of Ezichike have expressed relief at the timely intervention of the Police, calling for continued efforts to curb cult-related violence in the state. Further developments regarding the operation will be communicated as investigations progress.
